Yazoo Mower

Yazoo Mowers are becoming increasingly rare, but they have an almost cult following of fans and owners. They are very unique in their design, allowing them to have a zero-degree turning radius way before the modern hydraulic zero-turn mower was invented, and they have a gear shift lever that allows quick transitions from forward to reverse.

History of the Yazoo Mower

Yazoo Mfg Company, founded in the mid 40’s, made several commercial duty mowers, from a heavy duty walk-behind model called the “Big Wheel”, to the 3 wheeled Master Mower, sometimes called the Yazoo Rider. Yazoo built the 3 wheeled riding mowers from sometime in the 60’s into the 80’s in a factory in Jackson, Mississippi.

The 3 wheeled Master Mower design came in a variety of power plants, with mowing decks ranging from 36″ up to a massive 76″. The model number also designates, the mower deck size. For example: YR-36, YR-42, YR-48, YR-60, and YR-76.

Later on the Yazoo company was merged with Kees, becoming Yazoo / Kees where they eventually made zero turn mowers much like the hydraulic transmission ones that are available today.

My Experience with the Yazoo Mower

I purchased the Yazoo Master Mower at a government liquidation auction. It is a commercial duty mower with a unique 3 wheeled design. Mine has the 76″ mower deck and a 23 HP Kohler engine, with the manual transmission.

My Yazoo mower was placed up for auction by the County maintenance dept. because they had just broken a axle shaft, and although they fixed it, they decided replacement parts were becoming too hard to find. The employee I spoke with was the primary user, and was sad to see it go. He preferred it to their newer commercial zero turn that replaced it.

The mower makes very quick work of the hilly 4 acres that we mow with it. It takes some getting used to, but once you are familiar, it can hug directly around a tree and I can mow my four acres with zero trimming afterwords. The blades seem to cut right up to the edges of the mower deck better than any other mower I have used. The only exception on my property is one gated off section where the mower will not fit through the gate. I plan to eventually get an 8′ gate to replace the current one at that location.

At first, the mower did struggle with many of the slopes on our property. I switched the turf style tires out for the ag-style Carlisle Super Lug tire (18×9.50-8), and it was able to climb any of the slopes we needed to mow, many of them well past the 15 degree limitation that Yazoo states.

I have unfortunately already broken an axle shaft (the same one that the previous owners had replaced), as well as the wheel hub on the same side. The axle shaft twisted and snapped at the splines. since it was a custom made replacement part, I wonder if the heat treat process was done. I welded the hub back together, and purchased a replacement axle shaft from Wagoner Power Equipment out of Ohio.

I used a Yazoo 60″ in commercial work for several years. It was a great mower with an 18 horse Wisconsin engine.
I am now trying to get my old Gravely Convertible Tractor up and running for my own use and amusement: another great machine.

I have a yr60 yazoo, with a tjd Wisconsin motor. motor was overhauled a few years ago, but has not run much since. also new clutches installed in trans., for sale for 650.00. located in southern Illinois. if interested, you can call me at 618 777 2878. also have a yr48, with same motor for sale

any yazoo mower with a pto to drive the deck is not a YR series. I worked for the yazoo distributor in Indiana in parts. everybody wants to call all of them yr. YR’s had a 16 hp briggs, a 12 hp agnd wisc, or a 18 hp tjd wisc engine. Kohlers came out on the models that had the pto to drive the deck. if it has the pto and throws grass to the left that is a psg model deck. if it has the pto and trows grass to the right that is the psr deck. a YR will have 2 belts that go down and make a 90 degree turn to run the deck.

Kevin,
Do you still have your YR60? I used to have one and I’m very interested. Where is Freeburg? I’m Roger and I live near Little Rock. Could you text me a photo to 501-517-8346 or e-mail to lacmusa@yahoo.com?
Thanks,
Roger

I have a late 70’s early 80’s model Yazoo Yard Master with a 60″ deck. My wife and I love this mower but the left head cracked. I’m either looking for a head for the 20 horse Kohler engine, or interested in selling the entire unit. Call or text if interested 812-552-4439

1994 was the last year for the YHR series….I have a 94 YHRK20 With a 60 inch deck……it’s a mowing monster….love this thing. I also have a 80 model YR-48….I’m looking for 2 speed Trans parts or Trans assembly….would appreciate any advice…Jim

I have a mid-1970’s YR48 that has a 60-inch deck, 9 horsepower Wisconsin engine. Has been in shed and not used for 10 years. Ran when put in shed. Tires are flat. I have pictures available. Location is St. Louis, MO.

Any one out there know someone in the UK who might be interested in a Yazoo mower?
I have a Yazoo Master Mower with a 48 inch deck and a 500cc Briggs and Stratton engine.
I have recently used it and have photos, it is located in Suffolk UK close to an ex US air base so I suspect it got to the UK with the US Airforce

I have a Yazoo mower with a 60″ deck it uses a PTO so I think that makes it a psg. I am looking for a manual that describes the angle drive – the one I have was taken apart to replace bearings but not reassembled. Does anyone know where I can get a schematic or pictures?

We just spent 3 hours pulling a Yazoo master mower with a 60 inch deck and a Kohler magnum 20 motor out of the woods in the back of our property. Any info on where to get parts? Or advice on restoring it would be great. In east TN.

My extraordinary Yazoo psr 60 Kohler ch25s just developed a bent pusher rod suggesting head/valve/piston problems. It has been an incredible mower. Anybody have engine parts or know of a source for parts. Located in Louisiana. May consider sale.

I have a Yazoo with a 76″ deck that runs off the PTO….I believe that the motor may of been replaced at some point with a 20 hp.. Kawasaki.. ..I have a bag full of the original owners manuals and some extra shims for the height adjustment on the deck..just bought a new battery for it and fires right up and idles as it should… overall in very good condition…can send pics if your interested…my number is 330-931-1440..I live in Ohio near the Wheeling Wv border…

HI, anyone have a source for replacement rear wheels for the Yazoo push mowers? I have a 20 inch made about 1982 with the bicycle-type rear wheels and I need two new ones. The wheels on this mower are marked Made in France. They are 16 inch x 2 inch and are rusty. I have the mower restored otherwise.

We have one, part # 2302-123 20″ spoke wheel rim assy only, in stock. Feel free to contact us for more information. If you’re looking for other parts too, we have about $70,000 worth of vintage Yazoo parts in stock.

Hey this may be a long shot but I’m selling a yazoo mower with what I believe is the 76 inch deck (has a 76 across the front) it is not running. It comes with 3 tires never used I bought a few years back when I was still trying to fix it. It also comes with a box of spare parts(not sure what is in the box). It needs a steering gear worked on(missing a few teeth) and the last time I worked on it, it was running on starting fluid but not sucking fuel from the tanks. Located in northeast oklahoma. If you have questions or would like some pictures you can email me at davidchuning@gmail.com I’m asking $650 OBO.

My dad in NE Arkansas has six or seven different Yazoo riding mowers. Most are 60″ I think. He’s modified most over the years with larger twin-cylinder air-cooled engines. He also has a lot of extra parts he acquired over the last several decades. I don’t know the specific model numbers, etc. but would like to start trying to find good homes for these things.

I have a couple of yazoos i have 3 yr60s and a 48 2 wisconsin motors and 2 with kohler enhines and 22 bigwheels i just absolutely love em but i have a 60 with the kohler for sale if anyone interested im located in memphis tn

Looking to sell a running and mowing Yazoo. All original. We don’t need due to downsizing and selling our property. Not sure what they mean but Some of the #s on it are:
Tjd model
367231 spec #
6043572 serial
Model 33yr60 18hrs
723112

Hi I have a similar problem to the author of the master mower article. I was mowing nicely the other day when I heard a “ting” from the gearbox, then no drive. I think it’s broken a shaft. Once I get it apart would I be able to get part numbers for your supplier in Ohio. Thanks Steve.

What size are you looking for? I have a 22″ self propelled. 1 owner. My grandfather and father were distributors for yazoo in the 60’s 70’s and 80’s. This was one of the last ones our store had. I am in NE Texas. It does have the Wisconsin engine.

Hey I have a 76 inch cut yazoo with the 20hp Wisconsin, and a box of parts for it, it was running on starting fluid a few years ago but we never got around to fixing it all the way. We really need it gone. Asking 400 but would entertain offers, just need it gone.

We have a number of older model frames, and six or seven mostly whole mowers, and a number of the twin-cylinder Wisconsin motors. These were all my dad’s mowers. He passed away a few months ago and we want to try and find homes for all this.

My Dad had multiple Yazoo riding mowers for over 30 years. He passed away this past September. We would like to find homes for them if possible. If you think you are interested in something please contact me.
Tom Dillard – 214-500-2872.
The mowers are located in NE Arkansas.
Here is a link to some pictures (hopefully it will work for you)https://photos.app.goo.gl/CXv5oEgeSc27KkDq8

I live in the Dallas area. We are downsizing and I have a Yazoo YR60 with an 18hp Wisconsin twin. Purchased in ~1975 and it still runs well. This is the original design with the twin mower deck drive belts. I have used it weekly to mow our yard until we moved in early January. I also have a flatbed trailer that goes with it. Need to move it pretty quickly. Free to anyone who wants to come to Dallas to pick it up. 972 742 7758 or halkurkowski@sbcglobal.net.